Updated: 6:13 PM EDT Apr 8, 2021 WLKY Digital Team Mark Vanderhoff Rumors have been swirling on social media that Kentucky's mask mandate is no longer valid due to a resolution.So, we looked into it and found the facts. The statewide mask mandate to slow the spread of COVID-19 is indeed still in effect. The resolution some are citing is House Joint Resolution 77, which was designed to end the mask mandate while affirming some other emergency executive orders -- but Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd issued a temporary injunction blocking it. In his ruling, Shepherd wrote, "Until this issue has been resolved, it would create a great public harm and would undermine effective public health requirements to allow the temporary suspension or termination of the Governor’s public health orders." In other words, the mask mandate stands.Republican lawmakers who voted for HJR 77 blasted Shepherd's decision."He has a problem with the legislature and the people's voice. It seems like every time we pass a bill, he has to insert himself into it,"Rep. Kevin Bratcher told WLKY. "You know what the ballgame is. You know what the score is. I think it's time to start letting people make their own choices and the Governor needs to relax a little bit."But Democrats who voted against the measure supported the ruling.House Minority Leader Joni Jenkins said, "I think (the mask mandate) is one of the most important emergency executive orders that the governor issued because we know from science and the experience of over a year now how well they help us control the spread of COVID."It's the second time Shepherd has blocked such an attempt.Attorneys and state lawmakers WLKY has spoken with say a lot of questions about the separation of powers are tied up in this case, and, in fact, some related bills are already before Kentucky's Supreme Court.Both Beshear and Attorney General Daniel Cameron declined our requests for interviews, but Beshear did address the ruling during his Thursday COVID-19 briefing:He said, "Don’t get your news from someone you don’t know on Facebook… get your news from trusted sources."